Derby County suffered just a second defeat in 12 games this evening as they went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town.

The Rams stay sixth in the Championship table, but they miss the chance to cement a six-point gap in the play-off places after suffering a second home defeat in three outings.

Callum Connolly was the eventual match-winner – with the help of goal-line technology – thanks to his fifth-minute header.

Derby had more than enough chances to get something from the game, but Ipswich maintain their superb recent run at Pride Park Stadium which has now seen them win seven and draw three of their last 10 trips.

The last time Derby beat Ipswich at home was 2006.

Tom Lawrence in action for Derby County v Ipswich Town (Image: Andy Clarke)

Andreas Weimann looked lively early on for the hosts as he delivered a couple of excellent crosses from the right – one of which Tom Lawrence got his angles wrong in heading over.

But it was the visitors who opened the deadlock after five minutes. Martin Waghorn whipped in an in-swinging corner from the right, Connolly met it with an excellent near-post header which hit the underside of the bar and then Scott Carson thought he had tipped it away, but goalline technology ruled otherwise.

Ipswich seemed happy to absorb the pressure after that goal and hit the Rams on the counter, which was evident after 11 minutes.

Grant Ward was able to get past Craig Forsyth down the right and he charged into the empty space. The Ipswich winger hit a cross-cum-shot which briefly looked dangerous, but curled over the far post.

Derby started to apply the pressure as the half wore on and the fans responded. It took half an hour for their best show of football.

Tom Lawrence got in down the left and dug out a cross to the back post where Weimann was arriving. His acrobatic volley flew over, though.

The big talking point of the half came 13 minutes before the break. Lawrence, against his former club, got the ball from Craig Forsyth, darted into the box and went over, under the challenge of Ward.

Referee Scott Duncan was having none of the theatrical fall and, despite appearing to be definite contact, booked Lawrence for diving.

More chances fell the hosts’ way before the break as Curtis Davies saw an effort blocked from Lawrence’s corner and Weimann had one deflected just wide – but the Ipswich defence remained strong.

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Scott Carson was called into action just a minute into the second half when Ward’s cross fell to Connolly at the back post. The Rams stopper made himself big and produced a one-handed save to keep the score 1-0.

After that chance, Derby tried to turn the screw. Tom Huddlestone is yet to score since his return to Derby but he came mighty close with 54 in the clock.

Weimann – lively all evening – sprung the counter down the right. He exchanged passes with Matej Vydra in the box before picking out Huddlestone. The experienced midfielder took aim from 15 yards, saw his shot deflected and tipped away by Bartosz Bialkowski.

Vydra then went on a solo mission to draw his side level. Firstly, he saw a 20-yard effort fizz just past the far post, then had a low free-kick beaten away by Bialkowski before coming closer still with a deflected free-kick which went wide.

Gary Rowett went for it at the end, bringing on Johnny Russell and George Thorne – with Chris Martin introduced at half-time – but it wasn’t to be.

Vydra poked one just past the post with seven minutes to go from inside the box, and a better chance still fell to Joe Ledley three minutes from time.

Russell capitalised on a mistake from Sears and embarked on a solo run down the right, he muscled his way into the box and hit a low cross which found Ledley at the back post but the Welshman scooped his effort over.